Celebrate Diwali with Mira, Royal Detective—Plus More in News Briefs

November 6, 2020November 6, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Mira, Royal Detective Celebrates Diwali with New Episode

Here’s some great news from our pals over at Disney Junior: They’ve got a totally tuneful, completely colorful, mega-meaningful new episode of Mira, Royal Detective all about the celebration of Diwali premiering today—Friday, November 6—and airing all through next week, leading up to the official beginning of Diwali on Saturday, November 14.

In the episode, entitled “The Great Diwali Mystery,” Mira must track down the missing oil used to light traditional lamps throughout the town in order to save the Diwali celebration. Plus, the episode features a new “Diwali” song written and produced by Matthew Tishler and Jeannie Lurie (who write the series’ fabulous songs), and the dance routine was choreographed by So You Think You Can Dance’s Nakul Dev Mahajan (series choreographer/dance consultant).

Hear from many members of the show’s voice cast—including Kal Penn (Mikku), Utkarsh Ambudkar (Chikku), Aasif Mandvi (Sahil), Karen David (Shilpa; Ashima; Rubi), Parvesh Cheena (Manish), Sonal Shah (Poonam) and Leela Ladnier (voice of Mira)—all about what Diwali means to them, in the brand-new featurette, above. Happy Diwali, everyone!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Looking for some “comfort food” in the form of fabulously fun things to watch this weekend from around the worlds of Disney? You’re in early-November luck—make sure to tune in for a brand-new episode of ABC’s Shark Tank, the network premiere of A Wrinkle in Time on Freeform, and more!

First Trailer for Disney+’s LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special

If you’re ready to feel a smidge of that good ol’ holiday spirit, might we suggest checking out the brand-new trailer—just released this week—for Disney+’s upcoming LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special? It’s chock-full of galactic good cheer…

This new animated special from LEGO (the first to debut on Disney+) directly follows the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker—and finds Rey leaving her friends to prepare for Life Day, setting off on a new adventure with BB-8 to gain a deeper knowledge of the Force. At a mysterious Jedi Temple, she’s hurled into a cross-timeline adventure through iconic moments in Star Wars cinematic history, coming into contact with the likes of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Yoda, Obi-Wan, and other legendary heroes and villains from all nine Skywalker saga films. But will she make it back in time for the Life Day feast and learn the true meaning of the holiday?

Featuring the voices of Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), and Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), as well as Star Wars: The Clone Wars vets Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker), Tom Kane (Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn), James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Dee Bradley Baker (clone troopers), the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special premieres exclusively on Disney+ this November 17!

New Aulani Mobile App Offers All Manner of Aloha to Guests

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, recently began its phased reopening—and to help guests maximize all that fabulous vacation time, while safely enjoying all that Aulani Resort has to offer, the Disney Parks Blog announced that a brand-new Aulani Resort mobile app has launched!

Before guests arrive, they can use the app to explore all the magic of Aulani Resort, including the Waikolohe Valley pool area. Whether guests prefer admiring the view from a romantic infinity-edge pool, floating along a lazy river, or splashing down the water slides, there are plenty of magical opportunities for family fun. Other app features allow guests to manage their reservation details; begin the check-in process in advance; search for daily activities on the “Daily ’Iwa” calendar; and find places of interest on the resort map.

Available for iPhone and Android smartphones (message, data, and roaming rates may apply), guests can find the app in the app store by searching for terms like Aulani, Hawaii, Disney, resort, vacation, and Ko Olina.

ICYMI: Must-See Adorable Baby Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Yes, we fully realize we’ve been clueing you into all the adorable baby animals arriving at Disney’s Animal Kingdom lately—but honestly, how could we not? They are all so ridiculously adorable… plus, many of these births are for endangered species, and are therefore super meaningful to the park’s conservation mission. If you missed D23’s recent rundown of the latest “animals of the cutie-patootie variety,” click here and enjoy!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

November 5, 2020November 4, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Looking for something “jaw-some” to watch this weekend? Look no further than Shark Tank, airing Friday on ABC. This weekend is also a great time to plan a movie marathon, as Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Mr. Magoo are both joining the Disney+ library Friday. Plus, the documentary Rebuilding Paradise and the feature film A Wrinkle in Time are also making their network debuts on National Geographic and Freeform, respectively, Sunday.

Shark Tank—Friday, November 6, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC
Can two entrepreneurs from California prove they’re worth their salt as they pitch a healthy alternative to the seasoning staple? Sharks Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary will decide in the brand-new episode, which also features a mother and son team from Massachusetts showing off their spring-loaded cake stand. Then, spouses from Florida demonstrate an entertaining approach to the tried-and-true carving knives often used during holidays. And an entrepreneur from Missouri hopes his rap pitch sticks as he shares a product designed to attach a mobile phone to almost any surface. Then, in a Shark Tank update, season 11 entrepreneurs Sarah Paiji and Syed Naqvi update their investor, O’Leary, on how their New York-based, eco-friendly cleaning supplies company, Blueland, is making waves via online retail during the global pandemic.

Disney’s A Christmas Carol—Friday, November 6, on Disney+
In this 2009 film directed by Robert Zemeckis, which joins the Disney+ library Friday, Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual “bah humbug” attitude, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman) and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). He later encounters the ghost of his late business partner, who warns that three spirits will visit him that night. The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come (all played by Carrey) take him on an eye-opening journey in the hopes that it will warm his cold heart.

Mr. Magoo—Friday, November 6, on Disney+
This wild and wacky 1997 comedy, which joins the Disney+ library Friday, centers on Quincy Magoo (Leslie Nielson), a lovable but eccentric bumbling millionaire. Targeted by a band of international jewel thieves, the clueless Mr. Magoo sets out to retrieve a precious ruby with the help of his nephew, Waldo (Matt Keeslar), and his dog, Angus. It won’t be easy, of course—especially with someone as conniving as Luanne LeSeur (Kelly Lynch) at the helm.

Rebuilding Paradise—Sunday, November 8, at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic
The commercial-free broadcast premiere of the documentary feature film, from director Ron Howard and Imagine Documentaries, will air on the second anniversary of the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. On the morning of November 8, 2018, a devastating firestorm engulfed the picturesque city—and by the time the Camp Fire was extinguished, it had killed 85 people, displaced 50,000 residents and destroyed 95 percent of local structures. It was the deadliest U.S. fire in 100 years and the worst ever in California’s history. The film tells a moving story of resilience in the face of tragedy, as a community ravaged by catastrophe unites to recover what was lost and to begin the important task of rebuilding.

A Wrinkle in Time—Sunday, November 8, at 11:30 p.m. ET on Freeform
Tune in for the network premiere of director Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of the classic novel by Madeleine L’Engle, which follows the adventures of Meg Murry (Storm Reid). On a dark and stormy night, three celestials—Mrs. Which (Disney Legend Oprah Winfrey), Mrs. Whatsit (Reese Witherspoon), and Mrs. Who (Mindy Kaling)—journey to Earth to help Meg find her missing father, Dr. Alexander Murry (Chris Pine). Joined by her brother, Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), and her classmate, Calvin O’Keefe (Levi Miller), Meg embarks on a dangerous journey to a planet that possesses all of the evil in the universe, where she must face the darkness in herself to find the strength to beat the unyielding evil.

JUST ANNOUNCED: Disney twenty-three Celebrates the Heart and Soul of Pixar’s New Feature with Pete Docter, Tina Fey, and Jamie Foxx

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020

By D23 Team

The new Disney and Pixar feature Soul is unlike any animated film to arrive from visionary director Pete Docter, and the winter edition of Disney twenty-three explores this stunning journey from New York City to The Great Before and back again with Docter, co-director Kemp Powers, producer Dana Murray, and stars Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who composed the original score for Soul, and Jon Batiste, who’s behind the jazz compositions and arrangements, talk exclusively with D23 about crafting the intricate score and incredible music for this soulful film, which debuts on Disney+ December 25.

As a special bonus, each issue of the publication, available exclusively to Gold Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club, will include a set of holiday-themed gift tags and a special offer from the Disney Collect! by Topps digital collectibles app.

And as Disney+ celebrates its one-year anniversary, Disney twenty-three talks to the creators and stars behind some of the incredible content coming to the service including The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, Black Beauty, Godmothered, and On Pointe. Plus, the team behind The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special explains how they pieced together this hilarious and heartwarming story—and how it pays tribute to the 1978 classic Star Wars Holiday Special.

Plus, Disney twenty-three circles the Disney Parks globe, stopping at EPCOT to speak with legendary Imagineer Tom Fitzgerald about the creation of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, coming soon to the France pavilion. We also head to Hong Kong Disneyland to explore the spectacular new Castle of Magical Dreams—and take a close-up look at some royal finishing touches. The issue also celebrates 20 years of Disney California Adventure and previews the upcoming Avengers Campus.

Also included in the Winter issue of Disney twenty-three:

Kenneth Branagh and Emma Mackey detail—in an exclusive interview—their lethal journey in Death on the Nile
A look at Disney’s 40-year partnership with Make-A-Wish, granting tens of thousands of truly magical wishes to deserving children
A first look at the latest A Twisted Tale: Go the Distance, as well as the “once upon a time” story of this wickedly good series from Disney Publishing
Stunning concept art from Fantasia in honor of the film’s 80th anniversary
Regular features including From the Desk of, By the Numbers, Character Analysis, D Society, and Ask the Walt Disney Archives

Disney twenty-three, which is delivered directly to fans’ doorsteps, is offered exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family Members as a benefit of their membership. The latest issue will begin arriving before the end of November. Learn more about D23 Gold Membership.

Get Early Access to the November Limited-Edition Mickey

November 5, 2020November 9, 2020

The November Limited-Edition Disney Fantasia Mickey Mouse Plush and Loungefly: Disney – Year of the Mouse, 12 Pin Limited-Edition are now available on Amazon.

NOTE: Due to the strong response to these incredible plush, D23 and Amazon are making the following adjustments to the on-sale announcement for the upcoming months.

D23 Members will continue to be among the first to be notified about each month’s theme and have an opportunity to order the month’s design.
Each month D23 will provide Members with advance notice of the date the plush will be available for purchase on Amazon.com.
On Monday, November 9, at 9 a.m. PST,visit this page on D23.com for the link to purchase the Disney Fantasia Mickey Mouse Plush.
Please Note: You must be signed in as a D23 Member to access the link to purchase. Click “Sign In” at the top of the page.
Extremely limited quantities of the plush will be available on Amazon.com.

November: Fantasia Mickey Mouse

Commemorate the Year of the Mouse with this Limited-Edition Disney Fantasia Mickey Mouse Plush. The eleventh of twelve collectible large plush in the series, this exclusive Mickey Mouse celebrates the month of November. Mickey Mouse stands 16 inches tall and is made of a crushed velour fabric featuring red satin shorts with gold embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes. Mickey Mouse features a commemorative gold and satin foot patch and includes a Certificate of Authenticity. He even comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging; ideal for collectors. The Year of the Mouse Fantasia Mickey Mouse plush makes the perfect gift for Disney fans of all ages. Collect all twelve of these commemorative Mickey Mouse plush. Ages 3+

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is regarded as Mickey Mouse’s greatest cinematic role. Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was first considered to play the mischievous apprentice, but it was Walt Disney himself who decided that the starring role would go to Mickey Mouse. The concept of a single musical short was expanded into a full-length “Concert Feature” that was renamed Fantasia (1940).

Special-Edition Fantasia Mickey Mouse Plush celebrates the month of November.
Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes in a window box featuring special Year of the Mouse packaging.
Amazon exclusive.
Mickey stands 16 inches tall.
Made of a crushed velour fabric featuring red satin shorts with gold embroidered buttons, and embroidered eyes.
Collect all twelve.
Ages 3+

Continue to watch every month for a brand-new Mickey plush design announcement! For more Disney favorites, visit amazon.com/Disney for a full assortment of products.

Amazon has also given D23 Members the first look at an all-new pin set which will also be available on Monday, November 9, at 9 a.m. PST.

Loungefly: Disney – Year of the Mouse, 12 Pin Limited-Edition Set

Funko and Disney have collaborated to bring you the celebratory Mickey Mouse Year of the Mouse Enamel Pin collection! This collection comes in a stylized window display box and includes 12 Mickey Mouse-shaped enamel pins, each with a different design.

Eight of the pins have silver colored hardware, while four have a gold tone hardware. Each pin in the set has a different design, some boasting bold colors, while others feature glitter enamel fills. Several have intricate patterning. Each enamel pin is 2 inches tall.

Must-see Adorable Animals Recently Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

November 4, 2020

By Jocelyn Buhlman

If you needed an excuse to go, “Awwwwww…” today—or maybe just needed a quick midweek pick-me-up—we’ve got just the thing for you: A roundup of adorable animals recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! With a unique focus on research and conservation efforts involving all animals that reside there, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to all sorts of cool and unique animals—including baby animals! Check out some of the latest babies to join the Disney’s Animal Kingdom family.

Unnamed White Rhino
Just last month, the white rhino Kendi gave birth to a beautiful baby boy only days before Halloween! The male white rhino calf (who has yet to be named) currently lives backstage to bond with his mom, and will be joining up with the rest of the herd in a few weeks. White rhinos are an endangered species with a near-threatened status. Good thing two other white rhinos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom are expecting! Jao is due fall 2021, and Lola will likely give birth in fall/winter 2021.

Karanga the Aardvark

Spoilers for Episode 5 of Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
In the Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom episode “Aardvark Love,” we learn that the aardvark couple Willie and Peanut had Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s first-ever baby aardvark! Karanga, who is named after her mom (Karanga means “Peanut” in Swahili) was born in early October at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, and is currently backstage with her mom at the Conservation Station. The adorable aardvark will be staying there for several months—but don’t worry, aardvark enthusiasts! After that, she will start making occasional appearances for guests.

Two Unnamed Giraffes
They say two is better than one, and that’s especially true when it comes to baby giraffes! The first of two baby female Masai giraffes was born in late September, while the second joined us in October.

Verified
The giraffe family at Disney continues to grow with the birth of another Masai giraffe to mom Willow on October 20. The calf was quick to stand and start nursing, and weighed in at 160 pounds and just over six feet tall. 🦒
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This baby is the second giraffe born backstage at @Disney’s Animal Kingdom in less than a month, so it’s keeping our team on their toes!
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After this new calf enjoys bonding time with mom, she will join the herd on the savanna – usually in a few weeks. For now, the calf is nursing and staying close to mom.
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#DidYouKnow a newborn giraffe can stand and walk within the first hour of life, enabling the infant to protect itself from predators. You can learn all about how Disney cares for giraffe and more than 300 other species at @WaltDisneyWorld by tuning into “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom” by @NatGeo on @disneyplus.

A post shared by Disney Style (@disneystyle) on Jan 13, 2017 at 4:06pm PST

Neither giraffe has been named yet, and they both are currently living backstage with their mothers. Stay tuned for one of the giraffes to debut publicly later this month, while the second will be winning our hearts in late December.

Olive the Mandrill
If you decide to take an adventurous trip on Kilimanjaro Safaris sometime soon, you might spot this cute baby Mandrill playing around with her colorful family. Olive was born back in July, but it took a few days for the animal care team to determine the baby mandrill is a girl, because her mother, Scarlett, was keeping the infant so close to her belly. Olive was named to fit in with the rest of her colorful family, including mom, Scarlett, and sister, Hazel.

Kiana the Babirusa
In an exciting first for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a babirusa was born at the park in May. The piglet, named Kirana (which translates to “sunbeam” in Indonesian) is visible in The Oasis at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and was part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The SSP assures responsible breeding for endangered species, such as the babirusa pigs and Asha, the Hartmann’s Mountain zebra foal recently born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This 15-year partnership between Disney’s animal care experts and reproductive biologists helped “crack the code” on breeding a babirusa pair. We think Kiana is so cute that she would be important no matter what, but her birth is an important contribution toward the worldwide conservation and understanding of the species, which will help ensure a future generation for these vulnerable animals.

Want more cute baby animal pictures? (Who doesn’t?) Make sure to follow Dr. Mark Penning on Instagram for updates on the animals and more information on the lives and care of all the animals living at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Go on An Adventure Through These Details in the D23 Fantastic Worlds Map

November 3, 2020

By the D23 Team

Our 2020 Gold Member Gift is all about discovering the fantastic worlds of Disney—but how will you know where to adventure first? Why, with the spectacular D23 Fantastic Worlds Map, of course! You can have your own 24-by-36-inch map, which was designed by Disney artist Bryan Mon, as part of the 2020 Gold Member Gift when you join or renew a D23 Gold Membership.

If you can’t wait to start planning your next dream Disney adventure, we’re sharing close-up looks at parts of the map throughout the year. Check out our previous peaks at the map here, here, and here, and then take a look at our next section of the map, featuring some familiar locations, boats, and cars from your favorite Disney stories.

Five Things to Find:
1. Lester’s Possum Park, A Goofy Movie
2. Mr. Toad’s Motorcar, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
3. Kermit’s Swamp, The Muppet Movie
4. Susie, Susie the Blue Coupe
5. Pirate Parrot, Pirates of the Caribbean attraction

Take a closer look at the image below!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Week

November 2, 2020October 30, 2020

By Zach Johnson

Ready to explore the world… without having to leave home? National Geographic has hand-picked some of your favorite episodes from your favorite series for Adventure Week, starting Monday. That same night, tune in for a brand-new episode of DuckTales on Disney XD. And in addition to the season premieres of The Good Doctor on ABC and Primal Survivor on National Geographic, enjoy the fun-filled finale of Weird But True! on Disney+.

Adventure Week—November 2–6 on National Geographic
To kick off November, the network is taking you on the ultimate holiday across the globe. Travel to remote regions of Alaska, journey to extreme environments with beloved Hollywood celebrities, and learn how to cook local delicacies from around the world alongside a Michelin star chef with your favorite episodes of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Life Below Zero, Port Protection Alaska, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, and Ultimate Survival Alaska! Adventure Week also includes the season premieres of Primal Survivor on Tuesday, November 3, at 9 p.m. ET and Ice Road Rescue on Thursday, November 5, at 9 p.m. ET. For five straight days, go off-grid and gear up for nonstop action—all on National Geographic!

DuckTales—Monday, November 2, at 7 p.m. ET on Disney XD
In a brand-new episode, “The Split Sword of Swanstantine,” Huey (voice of Danny Pudi), Dewey (voice of Ben Schwartz), Louie (voice of Bobby Moynihan), and Webby (voice of Kate Micucci) pair off to find the missing pieces of a mystical sword hidden throughout a marketplace unless F.O.W.L. (Fiendish Organization for World Larceny) gets to them first. Flula Borg guest stars as the voice of Spice Baron, while John Hodgman and Jason Mantzoukas return to voice their characters John Rockerduck and Steelbeak, respectively.

The Good Doctor—Monday, November 2, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC
The first half of the two-part season four premiere finds Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) treating a patient with an illness unlike anything he or the team at San Jose St. Bonaventure has ever seen. As safety protocols and quarantines increase due to the global pandemic, Lea Dilallo (Paige Spara) and Shaun’s new relationship becomes tested. As Dr. Alex Park (Will Yun Lee) prepares to move back to Arizona to be closer to his family, Dr. Morgan Reznick (Fiona Gubelmann) navigates her way around the clinic following her departure from the surgery team… and unknowingly puts herself and several members of the staff in danger. Meanwhile, Dr. Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) continues to work through her grief, still reeling from the death of Dr. Neil Melendez (Nicholas Gonzalez).

Primal Survivor—Tuesday, November 3, at 9 p.m. ET on National Geographic
In the season premiere, host Hazen Audel battles his way through dense Guyana jungle and fights raging waters filled with hungry predators—including Piranha and huge Cayman—to track down a party of Makushi tribesmen. Throughout the season, using his knowledge and skills, Audel will embark on more exciting journeys via roads less traveled, where the terrain is typically unstable and the elements are often harsh and unpredictable.

Weird But True!—Friday, November 6, on Disney+
In the season three finale, “Camping,” Charlie Engelman and Carly Ciarrocchi set out to become master campers. Since neither of them has ever camped before, they take a trip to Coronado National Forest within Arizona’s Saguaro National Park. There, they get expert advice and begin to fully absorb what it’s like to camp and how to become master campers.

Ring in the Season with this D23-Exclusive Jumbo Pin!

November 2, 2020November 17, 2020

By the D23 Team

This item is SOLD OUT. Be sure to check out our limited-edition pin set for D23 Fantastic Worlds.

D23 Gold Members, beat the holiday humbug with this very special opportunity! Now’s your chance to take home the spirit of the season with an exclusive jumbo pin, featuring a jolly design created by Disney artist Ricky De Los Angeles.

This beautiful Mickey’s Christmas Carol-inspired pin features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Scrooge McDuck, and more in their Dickens-inspired roles. This gorgeous enamel pin features an exclusive backer card.

This pin, available in a limited edition of 2,300, available exclusively to D23 Gold and Gold Family members on shopDisney.

*Available while supplies last. To purchase, you must log in to shopDisney.com with a Disney account tied to D23 Gold Membership. Pins are $24.99 each, plus applicable sales tax. Maximum of two (2) pins for purchase per D23 Gold Member for online orders. Shipping not available to PO boxes; shipping and handling fees may vary for all online orders. Other restrictions may apply. All information is subject to change including, but not limited to, artwork, release dates, editions sizes, and retail prices.

Celebrating 90 Years: Music From The First Disney Book

November 1, 2020November 2, 2020

By Katie Strobel, Walt Disney Archives

Mickey Mouse Book, published by Bibo and Lang in 1930, was the first Disney book. Along with being sold to the public, the book was also distributed to theaters that hosted Mickey Mouse Clubs and was given to the members. It begins with a story and a board game, both created by the publisher’s own 11-year-old daughter, Bobette Bibo. An activity follows called “Mickey Mouse March,” which featured sheet music for “Mickey Mouse (You Cute Little Feller)” for accompaniment. As noted in the instructions for the march, the winner of the aforementioned board game chooses a partner, and together they act as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse to lead the group, singing and marching two-by-two. Perhaps most importantly, if at a party, the march should “lead you to the ice cream and cake!”

Mickey Mouse Book

Mickey Mouse Book was so popular that the first printing sold out, and the publisher had to release a second printing in December of the same year! There were some changes, including a complete rewriting of the song “Mickey Mouse (You Cute Little Feller),” originally composed by Irving Bibo and Henry Cohen for the first printing. While the song retained the same title in the second printing, Bibo was now the sole credited composer, and the music itself changed in melody, rhythm, and key signature—a whole new song!

Even the chorus is different, which could be a point of confusion when trying to figure out the name of the song. The original version’s chorus begins with “Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse, you cute little feller” (hence the title of the song), while the second version’s chorus begins with “Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse, we all love you so.”

For the musicians out there, you can try it out yourself with the sheet music below!

Musician Jon Batiste Brings Us Some Soul—Plus More in News Briefs

October 30, 2020

By Courtney Potter

Disney and Pixar’s Soul: Hear from Jon Batiste and Watch a New Trailer!

Jazz musician Jon Batiste—a Grammy® nominee known currently as the band leader on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert—has contributed music to the upcoming Disney and Pixar film Soul… and now, we get a sneak peek at one of his songs! The above clip features Batiste playing his original song “Born to Play” as well as a brand-new look at the film itself.

Pixar Animation Studios’ Soul introduces audiences to Joe Gardner, a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before. Adventures ensue, and Joe may finally find himself uncovering answers to some of life’s most important questions.

Also featuring the voices of Daveed Diggs, Phylicia Rashad, Angela Bassett, and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the film—directed by Academy Award® winner Pete Docter (Inside Out, Up) and co-directed by Kemp Powers (One Night in Miami)—begins streaming exclusively on Disney+ beginning December 25. Don’t miss it!

5 Fantastic Things to Watch This Weekend

Halloween in finally here, and don’t be scared—there are lots of frightfully fun things to watch this weekend from around the worlds of Disney. So break out the peanut butter cups and settle in for a new episode of One Day at Disney on Disney+; Modern Family’s Julie Bowen taking ABC’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire by storm; and (naturally) an airing of the fan-favorite Halloween staple Hocus Pocus on Freeform!

News from the World of Disney+’s The Mandalorian

This Friday, October 30, is not only the portal to a weekend full of Halloween fun… it also means a brand-new season of the acclaimed Disney+ series The Mandalorian! Yes, the time has finally come to follow the titular bounty hunter (Pedro Pascal) and the Child across the galaxy as they embark on thrilling new adventures in season two.

If you need a bit of a refresher before you launch into the next season, you’re in luck: our pals at StarWars.com recently dropped a video recap of season one, which you can take a gander at above. But that’s not all… If you read D23.com with any regularity, you know we’re huge fans of Mando too—so we’ve come up with our own rundown of where we left off at the end of season one. (Be warned, however: Both the video and the article obviously contain some spoilers!)

Should you feel the need to bring some Mandalorian fun into your home, independent of the series streaming on the device of your choice, do be sure to check out Mando Mondays—where new goods inspired by the series debut every Monday from now until December 21! The first Mando Monday was earlier this week, and featured sneakers from Adidas, makeup from ColourPop, and toys from Hasbro and Mattel. For more info, and to join in on the next go ’round, keep those eyes peeled on MandoMondays.com.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Welcomes Endangered White Rhino Calf

Baby animals of all stripes (pun intended) are just the kind of adorable we need in the world today. But when they also help to repopulate an endangered species, that’s even better! Case in point: The good folks over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World Resort recently welcomed a baby white rhinoceros, bolstering the park’s efforts to save the magnificent species.

Following a 16-month pregnancy, the male calf weighing approximately 150 pounds was born to mom Kendi, herself the first rhinoceros born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom back in 1999. This birth marks the 11th white rhino calf born at Walt Disney World Resort. Although rhinos are sociable by nature, the calf is now resting, nursing, and bonding with his mom. The yet-to-be-named rhino is expected to join the “crash”—that’s the term for a group of rhinoceroses; no kidding!—on the theme park’s savanna in the coming weeks. And in further amazing news, the animal care team is also caring for two rhinos expected to give birth in 2021. So stay tuned for further “adorable baby animal” news in the coming months!

Lucasfilm Celebrates the Tuskegee Airmen with Free Educational Content

Here’s a piece of American history that everyone should know… not just because of how significant it is, but because it’s truly fascinating to boot. Earlier this week, Lucasfilm launched an educational initiative and social media campaign all about the Tuskegee Airmen—the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps

—with the goal of providing resources to both educators and students. The documentary Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen at War is now permanently available on Lucasfilm.com and is accompanied by an all-new educational curriculum guide for grades 6-12, created by educator Vivett Dukes.

Lucasfilm also released Celebrate the Tuskegee Airmen, a reel narrated by Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr., which spotlights the Airmen’s story and legacy. Plus, Lucasfilm will be adding written profiles on Tuskegee pilots, nurses, and ground personnel leading up to Veterans Day on November 11—and throughout the month of November, Disney+ is offering the film Red Tails for free via Lucasfilm.com. To find out more, visit Lucasfilm.com/TuskegeeAirmen.

Avast, Me Hearties: A Pirate-Filled Ride & Learn from #DisneyMagicMoments

We may all not be able to do much in-person traveling these days, but that doesn’t mean we can’t share in something truly thrilling—and located halfway across the globe!—for the very first time. Our pals at #DisneyMagicMoments recently debuted a very special edition of their Ride & Learn series, where we get to experience one of the coolest, most technologically advanced attractions at any Disney park…

By all accounts, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland is legitimately life-altering, and now we get to “ride” it from the comfort of our homes! Among this attraction’s many innovations is its new, highly controlled ride system that allows the boat to spin, travel sideways, and even move backward—unlike anything guests have ever encountered in Pirates of the Caribbean before.

As always with Ride & Learn, you’ll gain some fun insight into how Walt Disney Imagineering created the attraction; dive deeper into its story; and see how this new version pays tribute to its predecessors around the world. Don’t be a hornswoggler—give it a looksee, above.